Learning Disability Wales

Search starts for Wales’ next Older People’s Commissioner

21 September 2017

Welsh Government has started the search for Wales’ next Older People’s Commissioner.

Created by the Welsh Government in 2008, the Older People's
Commissioner for Wales is the independent voice and champion for
older people aged 60 and over across Wales. The Commissioner's work
is driven by what older people say matters most to them, and
ensures their voices are at the heart of all the commissioner
does.

The Older People's Commissioner:

promotes awareness of the rights and interests of older people
in Wales

challenges discrimination against older people in Wales

encourages best practice in the treatment of older people in
Wales

reviews the law affecting the interests of older people in
Wales.

The Commissioner has a wide range of legal powers to help
deliver the change older people want and need to see.

The current commissioner, Sarah Rochira, was appointed in June
2012 for a four year term. Her term of office was extended last
year for a further two years, and comes to an end in June
2018.

Following a full public appointments exercise, which will involve
representatives of older people, it is expected a new commissioner
will be appointed by the First Minister of Wales in spring 2018 for
an initial four year term, with the new commissioner starting in
the role in June 2018.